Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 168

168. Aftermath and Currency (3)

Even amidst the storms raging after the uprising, there were those who remained focused on their own tasks. One group was engaged in development work in the north, while the other was the Ministry of Taxation.

Kim Jeom and the officials of the Ministry of Taxation were particularly driven.

This was because the currency was finally scheduled to be distributed in time for the harvest season.

* * *

As the reforms progressed, Joseon’s economy gradually grew.

As the economy expanded, so did the finances of the court. Tax revenues increased, but expenditures also continued to rise. As a result, the Ministry of Taxation was lit up every night, except for New Year’s Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The officials of the Ministry of Taxation had to work around the clock to prevent revenue leakage, minimize expenditures, and generate funds to manage the currency.

After such struggles, by the year Gi-yu, when the currency was planned to be circulated, the Ministry of Taxation was able to make some preparations.

“We couldn’t have dreamed of this without developing gold and silver mines. And Mr. Ouchi was also a great help…”

Kim Jeom muttered to himself as he reviewed the reports.

* * *

The existing trade with Japan was a relay trade through Tsushima Island. Most of the Japanese residing in the Waegwan (Japanese trading posts) established in Gyeongsang Province were from Tsushima.

However, as Sejong began to implement reforms in earnest, the composition of Japanese residents in the Waegwan gradually began to change.

“We cannot trust the Japanese of Tsushima!”

Following Sejong’s decision, the local government offices managing the Waegwan kept a close watch. If the Japanese residing in the Waegwan showed even the slightest flaw, Joseon officials used it as an excuse to immediately expel them back to Tsushima.

When these positions became vacant, Joseon immediately filled them with Japanese sent by Ouchi and the Kyushu Commissioner.

This was beneficial to Ouchi, the Kyushu Commissioner, and Joseon.

Ouchi and the Kyushu Commissioner could reduce costs by importing the culture of Joseon, an advanced country, without going through Tsushima, and could profit by reselling it to neighboring territories instead of Tsushima.

It was also beneficial to Joseon because, unlike Tsushima, which was just a small island, Ouchi and the Kyushu Commissioner were lords with large territories, so the scale of funds they could mobilize was different. Moreover, unlike Tsushima, they were friendly to Joseon, making it easier to maintain friendly relations. In particular, in the case of Ouchi, they communicated well with Joseon because their ancestors were of Baekje descent.

As a result, the biggest loser was Tsushima. With two formidable competitors, Ouchi and the Kyushu Commissioner, entering the market, Tsushima had to fall behind in the competition. And since the last conquest of Tsushima, Joseon had not been very friendly to Tsushima.

‘Odori in the north, Tsushima in the south.’

Sejong and the court already saw these two as targets to be eliminated.

Tsushima was in a dead end. Even if they wanted to use hard-line tactics by mobilizing Wokou pirates as in the past, the military power of the Joseon army was not to be trifled with. In particular, as new battleships called Panokseon [a type of Korean warship] were being supplied to the navy, naval supremacy between Joseon and Tsushima was gradually shifting to Joseon.

In addition, Joseon was holding the lifeline of the Tsushima people through the Se Gyeonsun (tribute ships). Although there was farmland in Tsushima, it could not supply enough food to the Tsushima people.

In the end, the Japanese of Tsushima had to lie low, watching Joseon’s every move.

As the powers in charge of trade between Japan and Joseon changed, the composition of Japanese residents in the Waegwan also changed significantly.

By the year Gi-yu, the composition of Japanese residents in the Waegwan was Ouchi 3.5: Kyushu Commissioner 3: Tsushima 2: Merchants from other ten permitted trading posts including the shogunate 1.5.

As Ouchi and the Kyushu Commissioner became the center of trade, Joseon was able to solve the problems that had been difficulties, which was that the import of copper and sulfur became smooth.

Joseon solved the supply problem of copper and sulfur by inducing checks and competition between Ouchi, the Kyushu Commissioner, Tsushima, and other forces.

In addition, through continuous exploration activities within Joseon, copper and sulfur mines were finally discovered, and Sejong could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“With this, we have overcome one of the obstacles that plagued Joseon!”

* * *

Kim Jeom, who was reviewing the report, called the officials of the Ministry of Taxation.

“Everyone below me and above the registrar, come to the conference room!”

At Kim Jeom’s call, middle managers up to the 4th rank and senior managers up to the Vice Minister rushed to the conference room and took their seats.

When the executives were all seated, Kim Jeom checked the situation.

“Is the installation of the branches all finished?”

“Yes. Thanks to the extra space we built when we constructed the existing monopoly offices, it was finished quickly.”

“What about the supply of Gyochos (paper currency), brass coins, and cupronickel coins?”

“We prepared them based on last year’s tax revenue, with an additional 20% margin.”

“Is that so?”

Listening to the executives’ answers, Kim Jeom rummaged through last year’s tax records.

“Let’s see… last year’s tax revenue… let’s just look at what we collected from the farmers…”

Humming to himself, Kim Jeom found the item and recited the details.

“Looking at what we collected from the farmers among last year’s tax revenue… rice is 113,840 seok [a unit of volume, approx. 180 liters], Jeonmi (field rice) is 70,013 seok, soybeans are 36,650 seok, cotton cloth is 28,750 bolts, cloth is 57,550 bolts (Note 1)… is that correct?”

At Kim Jeom’s question, the executives who were checking the records all nodded.

“That’s correct.”

“And you prepared based on this, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Hmm… what about the transportation of the currency?”

“It was transported under the escort of the military, and it’s almost finished now, except for Jeju Island and a few other islands.”

“That’s a relief.”

Receiving reports from his subordinate executives, Kim Jeom wore a relieved expression.

The circulation of currency was something that had been attempted by successive Joseon kings since the Goryeo Dynasty but had failed. And Sejong was about to try again.

As it was starting later than initially expected, they were even more thorough in their preparations to ensure there were no shortcomings and renewed their determination for success.

As Kim Jeom was reviewing the readiness, one of the officials asked Kim Jeom.

“What about the tenants who were farming on the land confiscated from the landlords in the Samnam region?”

“Let’s follow the law that has already been announced for this year. As soon as this harvest is over, there will be a decision from His Majesty.”

“Understood.”

At Kim Jeom’s words, the officials all bowed their heads.

“Any other questions? Or any new matters to report?”

When the officials answered with silence, Kim Jeom stood up.

“Then, go back and take care of your work. If we do it right this time, next year will be easier.”

“We will keep that in mind!”

Returning to his office, Kim Jeom muttered with an uneasy face.

“What the Crown Prince said is still unsettling…”

* * *

The issue of how to dispose of real estate, including the fields confiscated from the nobles who failed in the uprising, was a new topic.

“Wouldn’t it be right to return it to the state?”

At Lee Jik’s words, Sejong and other ministers nodded. At that reaction, Hyang asked a question.

“Does returning it to the state mean operating it as Gungbangjeon (royal estate)?”

“Wouldn’t that be the case?”

“But Gungbangjeon is a tax-exempt land owned by the royal family, isn’t it? Won’t there be a problem with tax revenue?”

“Ah!”

At Hyang’s point, the ministers and Sejong wore an ‘ah’ expression.

Sejong had the court operate the Gungbangjeon, excluding the Naesoo Sa Jeon (royal household land), for the smooth progress of the reforms, but this was a temporary measure.

In this process, Sejong had even promised in writing to the royal family members that he would return the benefits they had lost when the time came.

If the reforms were completed and Joseon’s economy grew further, the royal family members would surely demand that the promise be kept.

In the end, Sejong and the ministers had to put their heads together again.

The result was that the confiscated fields and real estate were made state-owned land. Since it was an absolute monarchy system where ‘Joseon = King,’ there would be no major problems, and it would be operated separately from Naesoo Sa Jeon and Gungbangjeon, so there would be little impact on tax revenue.

“Of course, the problem is how much rent to charge. We need to think about this part as well.”

At Kim Jeom’s words, Sejong nodded.

“That’s right. But if there is a difference between Gungbangjeon and state-owned land even though it is the same country’s land, the dissatisfaction of the tenant farmers will increase and illegal activities will prevail. Let’s think about it.”

As a result, what the ministers and Sejong came up with after putting their heads together was a kind of compromise.

-The rent paid by those who cultivate state-owned farmland is the same as that of Gungbangjeon.

-Those who cultivate Gungbangjeon and state-owned land will also pay taxes at the same rate as general tenants.

“It seems 괜찮은 것 같군 [Gwaenchanheun geot gatgun – It seems alright]. But let’s think about it a little more. Something feels 불안하군 [Buanhagun – uneasy].”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The ministers accepted Sejong’s order, who felt vaguely uneasy, without saying anything else. The ministers did not have much time.

If they delayed any longer, the rice in the fields would rot. The sooner they harvested and collected taxes, the easier it would be for the people and the officials to plan next year’s budget.

“Minister of Taxation.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As Kim Jeom was leaving Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbok Palace] after finishing the meeting, Hyang stopped him.

“Minister, His Majesty told you to think about it, but it is likely that the original plan will be decided, right?”

“That’s probably right. Why do you ask?”

At Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom answered with a look of surprise as to why he was asking.

At Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang waved his hand with an ambiguous smile.

“Ah, it’s nothing. I just feel like I’m missing something.”

“It’s probably because it’s a hastily made plan for a sudden major event.”

“Is that so?”

Hyang, still with an ambiguous smile, asked briefly and continued.

“You will be very busy next year. I’ll send you some tonic later.”

“Yes?”

“Then goodbye…”

With those meaningful words, Hyang turned around.

* * *

What made Kim Jeom uneasy was Hyang’s last words.

“Why suddenly bring up tonic? The Crown Prince knows very well that ‘tonic’ is the last thing you should say these days in Yukjo Street [the street where the main government offices were located].”

His eyes were on the documents, but the anxiety in Kim Jeom’s heart was growing.

Those two, the King and the Crown Prince, were always one step ahead. In the case of the King, there were many cases where he could predict to some extent, but in the case of the Crown Prince, he could not grasp it at all.

In addition, the Crown Prince had developed another bad habit these days. Even if he found a problem in a newly implemented policy, he would never say it in advance unless it was a matter of the country’s survival. He would vaguely mention it to the ministers and quietly prepare countermeasures, and then submit them to Sejong when things broke out.

If that happened, the next thing was obvious.

“How are you doing your job! Tsk! With these people…”

Listening to scolding and tongue-clicking was the daily routine of the ministers.

That’s why Kim Jeom was worried about the growing anxiety.

* * *

“Teacher Samcheonpo’s 삼천포 [Samcheonpo – going off on a tangent] is helping again here.”

Hyang, who gave Kim Jeom a slight warning and returned to Donggungjeon [Crown Prince’s residence], muttered while 펼치며 [pyeolchimyeo – unfolding] a blank book.

In the 21st century, Teacher Samcheonpo, who was conducting 수업을 [sueobeul – a class] on the process of Joseon farmers 몰락하는 [mollakhaneun – declining], went off on a tangent again.

“Compared to the tenant farmers of Joseon, no, East Asia, there are serfs in the West, right? But the Black Death greatly changed the status of these serfs. As people died in droves due to the epidemic of the Black Death, there were no people to farm.

They are commonly called serfs, but they had a kind of contractual relationship with the lord. Therefore, if the contract conditions were not met, they could move to another territory.

Here, the huge variable of the Black Death epidemic appeared. Before the Black Death epidemic, that ‘migration’ was only a possibility, but after the Black Death epidemic, it became a ‘real situation.’ Lords who were short of labor to farm immediately offered better conditions and scouted serfs from neighboring territories. And to protect the serfs in their own territories, the conditions improved as well.”

The moment he heard about the confiscated land and countermeasures in Geunjeongjeon, Teacher Samcheonpo’s words came to Hyang’s mind.

“There is vacant farmland nearby that charges lower rent? Who would stay still? I would pack my bags and move. Lawsuits, petitions, and appeals will be 줄을 잇겠군 [jureul itgetgun – be lined up] from next year.”

Even while 예상하면서 [yesanghamyeonseo – anticipating] the aftereffects that the bill proposed by Sejong and the ministers would cause, Hyang 절대 말을 안했다 [jeoldae mareul anhaetda – never said a word].

“I don’t need to step in 일일이 [ilili – one by one]. These trials and errors are how they become more and more useful. It’s not that I’m 귀찮아서 [gwichanhaseo – because I’m lazy] burying it.”

Hyang was giving himself 면죄부를 [myeonjoebureul – absolution].

——

Note 1) Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, Finance.

The recorded figures are the tax revenue of 영조25 [Yeongjo 25] (1749).

The reason for choosing this period is based on the theory that Joseon’s economic history peaked during the Sejong period, hit the bottom during the Imjin War and the Manchu War, and recovered to the level of the Sejong period during the Yeongjo and Jeongjo periods.

In addition, the figures for cotton cloth and cloth are 임의로 변환한 것입니다 [imuiro byeonhwanhan geosimnida – arbitrarily converted]. The reason is that the production of cotton cloth in the early Joseon period was less than in the later period, and the production of hemp cloth was more instead.